LORATADINE

GENERIC NAME: LORATADINE

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Pharmacy Author: Omudhome Ogbru, PharmD
Medical and Pharmacy Editor: Jay W. Marks, MD

BRAND NAME: Claritin, Claritin RediTabs, Alavert, others

DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Loratadine is a long-acting antihistamine that is used for the treatment of allergy. Histamine is a chemical that causes many signs and symptoms of allergy. Histamine is released from histamine-storing cells (mast cells) and attaches to other cells that have receptors for histamine on their surfaces. Histamine stimulates the cells to release chemicals that produce effects that we associate with allergy. Loratadine blocks one type of histamine receptor (the H1 receptor) and thus prevents activation of cells with H1 receptors by histamine. Unlike some antihistamines, loratadine does not enter the brain from the blood and, therefore, does not cause drowsiness when taken at recommended doses. The FDA approved loratadine in April 1993. Continue...